Dr. Alfred G. Gilman was born July 1st, 1945. He grew up in New Haven, Connecticut with his mother Mabel, father Alfred, and sister Joanna. Alfred Jr.'s father was a chemistry professor at Yale during the same time he attended the school in 1962. Gilman graduated Yale with a BS in Biochemistry, and continued on to Case Western Reserve University in 1969 for Medical School.
He then started his studies on G-Protein cell signal transmission with biochemist Martin Rodbell. Rodbell conducted separate but related research at the National Institues of Health. In 1994 both men's hardwork paid off, becuase they won a Nobel Prize for Medicine for their work with G-Proteins. G-Proteins (Gaunanine nucleotide-binding proteins) are involved in transmitting chemical signals outside of the cell, and causing changed inside the cell. These proteins act as molecular "switches".
Gilman and Rodbell discovered these proteins while they were studying stimulation of cells by adrenaline. They found that, when adrenaline binds to a receptor, which are found outside the cell, the recptor does not stimulate enzymes directly. Instead, the receptor stimulates a G-Protein, which then stimulates an enzyme.
3D Crystal structure or a G protein coupled receptor embedded in a cell membrane, with its loosely attached heterotrimeric G protein inside the cell
Not only did Gilman make this astounding discovery, he was is a key contributer in the discovery of chemotherapy used as a cancer treatment. He is the Chief Scientific Officer at the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and heads up the research division.
"I have spent most of my career doing research. I will now bring these insights to further CPRIT’s innovative and groundbreaking mission and to be part of something bigger that will impact fellow Texans, as well as all of the world’s citizens." - Dr. Alfred Gilman
Alfred G. Gilman
He then started his studies on G-Protein cell signal transmission with biochemist Martin Rodbell. Rodbell conducted separate but related research at the National Institues of Health. In 1994 both men's hardwork paid off, becuase they won a Nobel Prize for Medicine for their work with G-Proteins. G-Proteins (Gaunanine nucleotide-binding proteins) are involved in transmitting chemical signals outside of the cell, and causing changed inside the cell. These proteins act as molecular "switches".
Gilman and Rodbell discovered these proteins while they were studying stimulation of cells by adrenaline. They found that, when adrenaline binds to a receptor, which are found outside the cell, the recptor does not stimulate enzymes directly. Instead, the receptor stimulates a G-Protein, which then stimulates an enzyme.
Not only did Gilman make this astounding discovery, he was is a key contributer in the discovery of chemotherapy used as a cancer treatment. He is the Chief Scientific Officer at the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and heads up the research division.
"I have spent most of my career doing research. I will now bring these insights to further CPRIT’s innovative and groundbreaking mission and to be part of something bigger that will impact fellow Texans, as well as all of the world’s citizens." - Dr. Alfred Gilman
Works Cited
"Alfred G. Gilman - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_G._Gilman>.
"Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas." Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. <http://www.cprit.state.tx.us/about-cprit/executive-team/alfred-gilman>.
"G protein - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G_protein>.
"Who Invented Chemotherapy? | Who Invented It." Who Invented It. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. <http://www.whoinventedit.net/who-invented-chemotherapy.html>.
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